Can you get lean on a high carbohydrate diet??

As Sidesteal says, if you are at a calorie deficit, then generally, yes.

I just want to mention that vegetarian does not necessaily mean high carbs. I am at what I consider medium carbs (about 35 - 45%, depending on the day) and am a vegetarian. Its pretty easy to get protein from dairy which, I know are not low, but are also not that high in carbs. Also, there are other alternatives to soy such as quorn and seitan, both of which are relatively low carb.

Yes, there is a famous trainer that preps many top 20 pro bodybuilders using a high carb diet, right into the show. Seeing as those men are the leanest people on the planet...yes it is very possible. And their drug use is irrelevant, high carb diets work if done correctly.

Works just fine for most endurance athletes...the deficit is all that matters. Just get enough protein and fat

Check out the McDougall plan. It's a high carb, low fat vegan plan. You can probably find good recipes there.

The type of carb matters (yes it does). A must see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0zD1gj0pXk&feature=BFa&list=PLB9BC165392E146AC

The difference in the types of carbs is how quickly or slowly they are digested. This directly relates to your energy levels. If you eat nothing but simple carbs, you will either have to eat more calories, or you will feel hungry much of the day. Complex carbs digest more slowly, so you feel fuller longer and you don't get the blood sugar drop that results in hunger.

Yes, there is a difference in carbs, but not as it directly relates to weight loss. Technically, you could lose weight by just eating one sleeve of saltines each day, but you will be awfully weak and hungry in doing so.

I cant help you im gluten intolerant and bloat/gain like crazy when i eat it best of luck though

Yes you can, I've known quite a few women who have done so and I'm losing on a high carbohydrate diet.

Also, before protein supplements came into play in the 80s, a lot of body builders used to eat high carbohydrate diets and obviously they were very lean.

I'm gluten intolerant too (celiac) but my carb intake is around 60% too. It's mostly fruits but some veggies and rice too. Being gluten free isn't hard, you just have to tell your friends on the SAD eating habits that you have to pass on food when they offer you some.

EDIT: Oh and I want to add, I lost 60 lbs being on a high carb diet. It's all about eating foods closest to their living roots. (Oranges instead of orange juice; ham instead of sausage; etc)

I just finished a spreadsheet to check my progress for the last six weeks. My calorie deficit has averaged 4758 each week.

Daily average on my macros:
Average Carbs: 196 grams daily
Average Fat: 74 grams daily
Average Protein: 79 grams daily

Weekly averages:
Weight loss: 4.67 pounds per week
Inches from waist: 1" per week
Inches from hips: 1./2" per week

So far, my high carb diet is working splendidly. More importantly, I feel better than I have since I was a teenager, as far as energy and my mood. I know people like these low-carb and low-fat diets, but high carb is the way to go for me. :smokin:

Yes, there is a famous trainer that preps many top 20 pro bodybuilders using a high carb diet, right into the show. Seeing as those men are the leanest people on the planet...yes it is very possible. And their drug use is irrelevant, high carb diets work if done correctly.

They inject massive amounts of HGH that counters the possible fat gain. Also, their muscles hold a TON of glycogen.

Generally, a deficit helps, but IMO carbs are empty calories. Fat and Protein are needed as building blocks in the body. Protein for organs, fats for hormones. Just dont be deficient in either and you can have carbs of course.

If you're not diabetic, carbs are a healthy part of your diet. Insulin carries carbs to cells for use - whether it's for metabolism or storage as fat is determined by whether you have a calorie surplus (= fat) or not.

The nutrition along with the carbs is important. This is why I try to avoid refined sugars and refined starches. I try (note, it's try -- I'm not always successful) to get most of my carbs from whole grains and fruits and vegetables; the human body needs all the nutrients in there, and so the refined carbs with very little nutrition is basically a waste. The body also does need a good balance of fat and protein.

So, yes, you can get lean on a diet with plenty of carbs. Of course, I guess it depends on what you mean by "high carb diet" … 40% of your calories from carbs is a pretty good amount, in my opinion, and much higher than the "low carb" advocates suggest. But 60%, 80%, etc? No, I wouldn't suggest it (and I don't even know how it would affect weight loss)